The use of neti pots has been controversial for years, but on Wednesday, scientists determined that a second danger threatens this practice of nasal rinsing.

In a new report, acanthamoeba infections have been linked to nasal rinsing devices such as neti pots by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“We published this study because we want people to be aware of this risk,” the CDC’s Julia Haston said.

Further, warnings in the report have been reiterated against flushing nasal passages with common tap water, causing potentially fatal consequences.

A neti pot is a popular practice for nasal rinsing. Resembling a miniature teapot with an extended spout, it is usually made of ceramic or plastic. Practitioners will fill it with a saline rinse that is poured into one nostril and exits from the other, allegedly clearing the nasal passages of contaminants and allergens. 

Neti pot use has boomed in recent years as a remedy to the growth of allergies and other respiratory diseases, researchers note. 

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Other modalities of clearing nasal passages are cups and squeezable bottles. 

Domestic tap water, though treated for human consumption, can contain low levels of microscopic organisms. Though low risk for drinking or cooking, it can be harmful when in humidifiers or for nasal irrigation. Citing a 2021 survey, CDC officials note that two-thirds of citizens surveyed perceive tap water as safe to use while rinsing their sinuses. The CDC recommends boiled, sterile, or distilled water instead.